With HUD's Federal Housing Administration such an attractive option for first-time, low- and moderate-income, urban and other homebuyers; and Ginnie Mae, a wholly-owned Federal corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development an active force in keeping mortgage funds readily available, it's no surprise that HUD is a user-friendly E-Government site for people who want to learn how to buy a home.

"Homeownership in America continues to set records," Secretary Martinez said recently, and HUD offers a variety of tools with the click of a mouse button - from high-tech to down-to-earth practical - to help everyone find their own American Dream.

HUD's Ginnie Mae has a quick and easy high-tech tool to help potential homebuyers determine just how large a mortgage they can afford. This tool not only can help determine how much you can pay for a house, it also gives you information on how much the mortgage will cost if you use FHA mortgage insurance, a Veterans Administration mortgage guarantee, or a conventional mortgage loan. Try it here! (www.ginniemae.gov/ypth/2_prequal/intro_questions.htm)

Ginnie Mae also has tools to help you decide which is better for you - buying a home or renting a home, including a Buy vs. Rent Calculator (www.ginniemae.gov/ypth/rent_vs_buy/Rent_vs_buy.htm).

Secretary Martinez also has pointed out that "FHA is the federal government's largest program to promote homeownership," and potential homebuyers can find good information on-line at HUD to help them get started. One of the most useful practical tools FHA offers to people who want to buy a home, but don't know how to get started, is a state-by-state list of housing counseling agencies. Visit the HUD website to find the HUD-approved (or affiliate of a HUD-funded national organization) nearest you to get address and telephone information.

New homebuyers also have many questions about the homebuying process, what to do and what NOT to do. FHA has created "100 Questions (and answers) about buying a home" that every first-time homebuyer should read and understand.

Last but not least, HUD enforces the nation's fair housing laws. Anyone who tries to buy or rent a home or apartment but faces illegal housing discrimination - based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability - can file a fair housing complaint on-line (or by telephone or through the mail) through HUD's Housing Discrimination Complaint page.

For a lot more links and solid information, check out HUD's Homebuyer's Page.

Happy home shopping, America!